Thanksgiving Plans

We were fortunate enough to visit with an American couple who were visiting Vitoria earlier this Fall for business. They had asked to meet with us on a Monday evening, and had recommended meeting in downtown near the Catedral de Santa Maria at a restaurant they had been told of.

Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed on Monday :( so we decided to find someplace else to eat. We knew though that others had raved about this establishment, so we had to return back there some night. We chose to go try it on Thanksgiving.

Our reservations were for 9 pm, which was the earliest in which they took reservations! (when we left the restaurant at 10:30 it was just beginning to fill up)
After spending some hours trying to decide what to wear, seeing as it was quite cold last night and we knew that tights or leggings would need to be worn under garments as we walked through the square, we walked two blocks down the tram stop next to our apartment and rode the train into the city. It took about 10 minutes, and I marveled at how comfortable and confident my children were now. When I think of how terrified we were at the start of our trip to stand out, to make any impact, to talk loudly or draw attention to ourselves---the loud laughter and boisterousness was a welcome return to our lives. We have become so accustomed to life here now.

Plaza Virgen Blanco 

The Church of San Miguel 

Vitoria at night

The Arquillos walkway 

Catedral 

They seated us in the upstairs dining room

Charming setting with 400 year old stone masonry

Bumpo insists that pinkies must be utilized at an establishment as nice as this. Tank is measuring how large he hopes the  cut of steak is.  

Beloved and I perusing the menu...these restaurants claim to have menus written  en Ingles but it usually a mish-mash of languages. Thankful I had done some research beforehand. I ordered the oxtails, which were served with a 'marrow glace' which was to die for. I raised a fork to my Mum, who introduced us to oxtail soup as youngsters. 

Beloved and the sea bass he ordered. It tasted SO fresh, you could seriously taste the sea water from it still. Delicious. 

The children shared a steak and claimed it was the best steak they had ever eaten: "Besides yours, Dad" they had to edit later. Dad agreed ;) 

I  had very very much to be thankful for this evening. 

It was a wonderful night. We spent the evening regaling each other with stories and memories from the trip; tonight it was all about St Michaels Cave and all of the really amazing things we did on that spelunking adventure. Whether it was clambering up on the petons beside that gawping crevasse or rapelling down the faces of all those rocks, each of us had a moment where we were really sort of terrified. Tito who made us laugh SO hard with his dirty Brit humor. It was an amazing night. The children all said that while they were ready to go home and be with their friends, they all said independently that they grown to really appreciate and love each other as a family.

I am forever thankful for this trip, and the memories we had created together as the five of us. Those are memories that we will never forget, and that will forever be part of the ties that bind us together.

                                      Here is a link to the best steak and seafood we've tasted so far...      

www.matxete.com


We came upon this small group of musicians (see link below)  performing as we were leaving the restaurant. I stood there with tears welling up in my eyes at the thought of soon leaving this magical place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jKASb1c1kg&feature=youtu.be